Wasn't sure where to put this little anecdote. It's not a joke, but it is funny, and I thought it apropos for BetterMost. It's from Mike Farrell's (B.J. Hunnicutt, M*A*S*H, 1972-83) biography.
From Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist, by Mike Farrell, c 2007 p 115
A friendship formed during the Proposition 6 campaign [1978 - it would have barred homosexuals from working as teachers in California's schools] taught me even more about how precarious life can be for some. David Mixner had been one of the chief architects of the Vietnam Moratorium, a hugely successful initiative in the movement to end that war. At the time of his very public activities, it was not known that he was gay. When David finally came out of the closet a few years later, old friends -- even family members -- deserted him in droves. As told in his book, Stranger Among Friends, the price of honesty -- and of being different -- in our society can be monstrous. At dinner at our house one night, David told us about a loving aunt who did not cut him off when his sexual orientation became known.
"David," she said, "I understand you suck cock."
"Yes, Aunt Helen, that's right. I do."
"Well," Aunt Helen responded with a smile, "so do I, dear. So do I."
Due to his own strong character and the understanding and love of people like Helen, David survived it all and went on to become a national leader on gay rights issues; he now works internationally on the AIDS pandemic.
